Lauren's Best Lauren Best

Lauren and her co-producer Sam have a celebratory debrief about the first season of Lauren’s Best. Join in the laughs and groans as they relive the highs and lows of production in this behind the scenes chat, from insights into the emergent creative collaboration process, to cable mismanagement and mic choices.
 
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Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes and receive detailed show notes: laurenbest.substack.com
Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, reveals what has unlocked success in her own creative journey. Through healing and growth, she illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.
Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.
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Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/ Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/ - - -
Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an intimate and unflinching poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry
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Are you an entrepreneur looking for expert guidance on your podcasting journey? Want free advice and ideas to implement right away? Book a free consult with Lauren!

Learn more about how you can grow your voice as a powerful asset with lifelong returns, and get equipped to tap into the potential of podcasting to create opportunity and prosperity.
 

I’ve been looking forward to interviewing writer Cody Caetano since reading his debut memoir. I read it quickly, washed with emotion and enjoying the gripping ride of comedy and compassion, carried by relentless clarity and childhood imagination. The compelling style and deeply reflective storyline drew me in. I knew that speaking with Cody would be fascinating.
After listening to this episode, I think you’ll agree that the reading experience is somehow enriched by the pleasure that Cody takes in the writing process.
This conversation felt honest and patient, giving a gracious view into carefully considered craft. We talk about:
the process behind writing and publishing his bestselling debut memoir, Half-Bads in White Regalia
his collaborative approach as a literary agent supporting authors and unique perspective on publishing pipelines
drawing inspiration from small-town Ontario life, 2000s culture, music, and podcasts
 
“Cody Caetano is a writer. His debut memoir, Half-Bads in White Regalia, came out through Penguin Canada’s Hamish Hamilton imprint and was a national bestseller. It won the 2023 Indigenous Voices Award for Best Published Prose, made the shortlist for the 2023 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction, and made the longlist for the 2023 Toronto Book Award, the 2023 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, and Canada Reads 2023. He works as a literary agent at CookeMcDermid, where he represents both emerging and acclaimed writers. Recently, Cody served as a judge for The Fiddlehead's 2023 Creative Non-Fiction Contest, The Ex-Puritan's 2023 Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence, and as the Writer in Residence for the 2023 Whistler Writers Festival. He lives in Toronto.”
Website: www.codycaetano.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/cody_caetano
 
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Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes and receive detailed show notes: laurenbest.substack.com
Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, reveals what has unlocked success in her own creative journey. Through healing and growth, she illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.
Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.
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Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/ Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/ - - -
Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an intimate and unflinching poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry
- - -
Are you an entrepreneur looking for expert guidance on your podcasting journey? Want free advice and ideas to implement right away? Book a free consult with Lauren!

Learn more about how you can grow your voice as a powerful asset with lifelong returns, and get equipped to tap into the potential of podcasting to create opportunity and prosperity.
 

Robin Radomski is a creative soul who left her corporate job to start her own boutique agency in Toronto, where she crafts captivating stories through videos and photos with a specific focus on restaurants and food brands. She started her first food account as a graduate school project and grew it from a single photo to signing brand sponsorships, turning her passion for food culture into a thriving business.

Robin joins me on this episode to talk about how she went from feeling lost and “okay with being mediocre”, to finding success in social media management and building a supportive online community. We talk about the impact of online negativity and the challenges and joys of creative entrepreneurship in the digital age, as she shares reflections on finding her creative path and tips for navigating business growth.
 
“Meet Robin Radomski, the visionary force behind RAD Social & Digital, a boutique agency specializing in social media and content creation for brands. With over a decade of experience in crafting click-worthy creative, Robin is dedicated to making stomachs grumble with a simple phone scroll. From founding Blondeats as a creative outlet to launching RAD Social and Digital, Robin's journey has been fueled by her passion for both social media and food. When she's not curating delicious content or scouting the city's best coffee spots, Robin is busy helping brands build value-driven strategies rooted in authentic storytelling and growth. With an impressive roster of clients including Broma Bakery, Freshii, Knix, Dairy Farmers of Ontario and The Drake Hotel, Robin is committed to being an extension of your team, transforming your brand's digital presence into a thriving community and converting your online followers to IRL customers.”
Website: www.robinradomski.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/blondeats
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blondeats
Work with Robin for content/socials needs: robin@robinradomski.com

“Happiness and creativity are intertwined.”
This conversation is with one of my first creative collaborators. Sophia Lemon photographs ridiculously happy people. We talk about how to worry less and… just go for it! Sophia shares what her clients have taught her about how to make unforgettable moments through being both spontaneous and thoughtful. We discuss using creativity to handle problems, the power of artful storytelling and the importance of child-like exploration. We unpack the serious benefits of silly singing, and how we can learn from children (and improve approaches to education).
Sophia and I met in high school, and she’s inspired me through her creative entrepreneurship ever since. She’s helped me confidently choose to express myself authentically and allow myself to be seen (and appreciated). She always reminded me to be myself and explore my silly side, and in this episode, she’s reminding you too: “If you're listening and you're thinking you should do this, you probably should."
 
“I’m Sophia, a professional photographer, competitive softball player, and mum to one giant Dog baby named Bruce. I've struggled with a couple of times of depression in my life, and I know that being myself is the only remedy. I want to help the people I work with to recognize that too.”
Website: https://sophialemon.com/
Podcast: https://sophialemon.com/podcast
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ridiculouslyhappyppl
Facebook: https://facebook.com/SophiaLemon
Fine art prints and gifts: https://sophialemon.com/shop/  

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Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes and receive detailed show notes (including for this episode) with links to loads of free resources: laurenbest.substack.com
Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, reveals what has unlocked success in her own creative journey. Through healing and growth, she illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.
Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.
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Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/ Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/ - - -
Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an intimate and unflinching poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry
- - -
Are you an entrepreneur looking for expert guidance on your podcasting journey? Want free advice and ideas to implement right away? Book a free consultation with Lauren!

Learn more about how you can grow your voice as a powerful asset with lifelong returns, and get equipped to tap into the potential of podcasting to create opportunity and prosperity.
 

“It's incredibly rewarding to see someone transform their relationship with their own voice and become a more effective speaker as a result."
 
Seasoned voice coaches Stephanie Keiko Kong and Lauren dish about infinity, perfection and the transformative power of expression. With a tribute to Hawai’i bus announcements and a harrowing story of music theatre touring and prescribed silence, we drop you in the middle of a deep conversation between two creative forces passionate about helping people share their voices. Join us for a fierce episode about big ideas put to test by these experts, including specific tips you can use to build your vocal confidence.
 
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Meet Stephanie Keiko Kong (they/she), a dynamic force in coaching for public speakers. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, radio, yoga, theatre, and singing, Stephanie embodies a potent cocktail of expertise. Their praxis centers BIPOC, femme, and queer voices, as exemplified in her popular educational content across social platforms. Stephanie was born and raised in Wahiawā, Hawaiʻi, and is currently settled in Tongva territory, Long Beach, California.
Find out how to work with Stephanie by subscribing to their newsletter or visiting PONYPONYTAIL.COM
Instagram: @ponyponytail
TikTok: @stephaniekeikokong
YouTube: @stephaniekeikokong

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Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes and receive detailed show notes with links to loads of free resources (like this episode): laurenbest.substack.com
Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, reveals what has unlocked success in her own creative journey. Through healing and growth, she illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.
Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.
- - -
Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/ Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/ - - -
Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an intimate and unflinching poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry
- - -
Are you an entrepreneur looking for expert guidance on your podcasting journey? Want free advice and ideas to implement right away? Book a free consult with Lauren!

Learn more about how you can grow your voice as a powerful asset with lifelong returns, and get equipped to tap into the potential of podcasting to create opportunity and prosperity.
 

Valerie Jerome, former Olympic athlete, teacher and advocate, talks about her remarkable journey, from breaking barriers in sports to her impact through 35 years of teaching. She reveals the relief found in writing her memoir “Races: The Trials and Triumphs of Canada’s Fastest Family”, and gives us a glimpse into what it took to overcome gatekeeping in the traditional publishing industry. She reminds us that racism in Canada is still prevalent and that her hope for the future lies in the empathetic hearts of youth across the country. 
Find out where Valerie is speaking next and buy her book “Races” at: http://gooselane.com/Races
Catch more of Valerie’s track and field story on “Black Life: Untold Stories” in the episode “More Than A Game” on CBC Gem.
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Valerie Jerome is an activist, speaker, teacher, politician, and athlete from Vancouver. The granddaughter of Canada’s first Black Olympian, John “Army” Howard, Valerie became the Canadian senior women’s champion in the sprints and long jump at the age of 15 in 1959. She went on to represent Canada at the 1960 Rome Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, and the Pan American Games (where she won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay), competing alongside her brother Harry Jerome. 
Away from the track, Valerie has represented the Green Party of British Columbia and is a recipient of the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and a City of Vancouver Heritage Award for her work in conservation. She has served as a board member for numerous organizations, including Achilles Track & Field, the Black Educators of BC, the Junior Black Achievement Awards, Vancouver Youth Theatre, and several dance companies. She speaks at numerous schools and community events.
 
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Join Lauren’s Best on Substack to be the first to comment on new episodes and receive detailed show notes (including for this episode) with links to loads of free resources: laurenbest.substack.com
Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, reveals what has unlocked success in her own creative journey. Through healing and growth, she illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.
Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.
- - -
Work with Lauren: bestpracticearts.com Follow Lauren on Instagram: instagram.com/bylaurenbest/ Let’s connect: linkedin.com/in/lauren-best-48a71232/ - - -
Give the gift of poetry, to yourself or a friend, with Just Leaves, an intimate and unflinching poetry collection. Paperback or audiobook: laurenbest.com/poetry
- - -
Are you an entrepreneur looking for expert guidance on your podcasting journey? Want free advice and ideas to implement right away? Book a Clarity Connection call with Lauren!

Learn more about how you can grow your voice as a powerful asset with lifelong returns, and get equipped to tap into the potential of podcasting.